Boat trailer wheel bearing repair

[Cardinalskyhawk]

I had a wheel bearing go down yesterday 50 miles from home, I was able to find a friendly place to leave it for a day or two until I can get the parts to repair. The wheels are 5 hole pattern (14x6 rim) but the problem is that I don't know what size the spindle is. Are they pretty much all the same on boat trailers with this size wheel/hub? It is a single axle Moonshine trailer rated at 2,850 lbs. I was hoping to be able to get the parts in hand before I make the 50 mile trip to retrieve it as there are no parts stores any where close to the location. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[RUGER]

Wish I could help but I have no idea.
Good luck though.

 

[Kevin]

There are different diameters I believe.

I had a situation a few years ago where the lugs sheered completely off my hub traveling back to LA from TN. I replaced the entire hub, barrings and all. The guys at Napa were fairly certain on the boat trailers they are all pretty much one size. I bought both sizes just to be safe, then when I got back to LA after the trip I returned the barring that was too big.


That's crappy feeling the one you have right now. Ours blew just before midnight on Easter Sunday, 35 miles south of Grenada, MS. We were lucky the lugs pealed off just before we got back on the interstate. It was a hard lesson to learn, but now I keep an extra hub, bearings, grease etc. in the truck during all trips. I didn't like having to go in and tell the Patels that I was leaving my boat out back and I'd be back in the morning.

 

[Big John in TN]

That sucks buddy. Moonshine Trailers is in Cave City, KY, their number is 270-773-2179. They should be able to tell you?

I'm sure you could get the them at Tractor supply or a good trailer dealer besides the auto parts stores. You would need to take yours out first to match them up.

Good luck with it.

 

[Cardinalskyhawk]

Thanks for the help, I'm making the run tonight to see if I can fix it. I found the contact for Moonshine Trailers but they are no longer in business....

 

[LY]

Also check Northern Tool, they saved me once with a stranded camper coming through Atlanta. New hub assembly, studs & nuts, pre-mounted tire and wheel for just under $100. They've got a good selection.

 

[Cardinalskyhawk]

After removing, replacing, and studying the wheel hubs/bearings on the boat trailer multiple times....like 10 times, I now consider myself an authority on trailer bearings, hubs, and spindles. So... any further questions on the subject can be forwarded my way

 

[7mm08]

I ordered a wheel bearing yesterday and will store it on my boat after this post.

 

[Cardinalskyhawk]

I've never had a spare tire for my boat trailer and after this last episode of being stranded I decided I better get one. If you are in the market for a spare or even replacement wheels and tires, they have 14" tires mounted on the white spoke wheels at Rural King for $69. That's a good price considering that I priced tires alone at a local tire place and they quoted $55 for a tire only.

 

[BigAl]

If you have the old bearings, they should have the part number stamped on them, any parts store should be able to cross reference the part number for the proper bearings. I had trouble finding the right bearing for my RV (tapered spindle) and this turned out to be the solution.

 

[jard]

I order everything off etrailer.com. I buy the entire hub assembly. jack up the trailer and pull the entire hub off. the bearings will have serial numbers stamped on them. I buy the entire hub assembly and just slap them on. They are cheap and ship almost overnight. average hubs with bearings and races already installed are about $30. saves me a ton of time to not have to pry the bearing and seals out of the old ones without damaging them. Done it to every boat and trailer I have owned.

 

[2in1shot]

I would be willing to bet it is a 1 1/16 spindle. Buy the set. Get the size above and below just to be safe. Some grease, a wrench for castle nut, a hammer or rubber mallet, and a new pin (cause the pin in the castle nut will likely break). A jack and a few blocks of wood. With all the tools laying there it should only take 10-15 minutes.

Came in too late on this one. Read the first and last posts.

 

[scn]

Thanks to the info from jard, I just ordered new hubs with bearings, etc, and new wheels and tires from https://www.etrailer.com/

After hearing of some of the issues in this thread, it upped my concerns a little for pulling all the way down to lower LA for redfish this fall and winter. I decided to put new on, and keep the current as spares. When I pulled the hub, only one of the bearings had a number, and I couldn't find the proper hub on their site. I called customer service, and had the BEST customer experience I have had with any company in MANY years. The lady that helped couldn't have been more professional and personable with her help.

I guess time will tell if we got it right, but, if not, I have zero concerns with them helping me again. Not only was their customer service the best I have had, their prices are ultra-competitive. If you have a need for some new tires/wheels or hub assemblies, I would recommend checking them out!

 

[scn]

As a followup to my previous post, I cleaned up one of the hubs and set of bearings I was replacing to have as a spare assembly. I found that one bearing was rusted to the point that it would barely move. I called etrailer back to see if I could add a bearing/seal kit to the order I had done an hour before. I was told that it was shipped four minutes before I called.

But, the person taking my order offered to credit back the shipping charges for the kit giving me free shipping for that as well as my earlier large order. It is hard to beat that for customer service!

 

[scn]

etrailer's service continues. I completed my order about 4:30pm on Monday afternoon. The completed order arrived at my house, well-packed, around 7:30pm on Tuesday. That is a pretty impressive turnaround. Hopefully I can get a break in the rain tomorrow to complete that project!